CJHYBRID

The Rx 400H is one of the smoothest quietest cars i have ever driven with stunning performance when required to match. The acceleration when the two electric motors kick in with the big V6 is amazing. The fuel,cosumption for the size of car and performance in comparison with others is for me totally acceptable. We have a Shogun Pinin which is fun to drive with real bad weather / off road capabilty which is handy for us living in the Lincolnshire Alps!. The Shogun has permanant 4 wheel drive and a 1.8 mpi engine.The best fuel consumption is around 30 mpg. The 400h averages 31 two completely different cars but the fuel economy of the Lexus for the type and size of car is good. The sporty Range Rovers with the big petrol units in them struggle to reach 20 mpg let alone 30. Then there is the experience of owning a Lexus Hybrid for the first time. The total silence when setting off on electric power and the smooth take up when the ICE cuts in is unique to this type of powertrain. The power distribution matched with the cv gearbox means the car is always in the right gear at the right time and is the easiest car to drive bar non. Its quirky with little,party,tricks like monitoring the battery power and deciding to start the ICE on its own if the,battery needs a boost. When you turn the ignition off dont expect tnat the car is asleep,its not you often hear electrical gizmos clicking and whiring away in the background minutes after the door has been closed and you walk away. Its as if the car lives. Any Lexus with an Rx badge is a great car but if,you are tempted by the 400H and buy one I am sure,it would not dissapoint. Chris

Series 11 for me it has been copied by many but never equaled . The latest Model I must say looks pretty good also and I recently had the top of the range car as a loan vehicle while mine was having some work done at Lexus Hull. It is a fantastic car but it made me realise just how good my 400H is. The handling on the 450 is certainly better but does not have the acceleration of the 400H and whilst it seems more refined I much prefer the interior style of the older car and it's overall character. The updated technolgy and toys in the latest car are very impressive though. It will be interesting to see what the updated version looks like with the camouflage off. Chris

Thanks for the replies gents have had some IT problems so been offline for a few days. Waiting for assesor to agree if insurance will pay out so should know over next few days and hopefully windscreen being fitted on Monday. Chris

Last week my Afs sensor failed resulting in a £500 plus pound bill excluding a 70000 service which Lexus Hull did for me. They did however do a great job as always with exemplary service. Then driving to work on Thursday morning an 8 wheeler passed me in the opposite direction driving through a mud puddle at the time of passing. They was a cracking noise and the sound of stones pelting the car. I now have 10 inch crack in the windscreen and multiple chip damage to bonnet both front wings and the whole of the drivers side of the vehicle . Also chipped grill and headlights. The bill will be massive and hoping the insurance company will pay . Auto glass tell me RX400H not listed but that RX with rain sensing wiper sensors is the same, Hope I can get it sorted they are fantastic cars but beggining to worry a bit about parts availabilty for some items.I had mudguards fitted at the same time as the service my choice but the fitted price is way over the top.Winge over still love the car just wish it was kinder on the wallet . CJ CJ

Interesting Colin I didn't know about these. So you could turn a 400h into an Outlander PHEV. Chris

That's a new one on me Gents what's an engineer kit and the benefits. Hope you are able to keep the 400H. The Tesla is a very interesting car from what I hear also so best of luck with that. Chris Sent from my iPhone using Lexus OC

The culprit was the Crystal car wash in Grange Lane Scunthorpe one to avoid. Cj

Thanks Colin yes am going to do that and also put some rim wax on and try to keep them clean and waxed . This will help with the corrosion together hopefully with the more resilient paint used. The quality of the paint on the alloys is one area that let's them down don't know if it's improved on the newer cars. Chris Sent from my iPhone using Lexus OC

Well what a difference 3 days makes Lexi is home and I am delighted with the result .The bonnet looks like new as do the light lenses no discolouration.All 4 alloys shadow chromed. Some minor dings sorted rear bumper painted and black sill reformed. Whilst I am annoyed about the car wash incident it has prompted me to do all of the above. All credit to scratch match Grimsby who booked me in at short notice quoted a price for the work described and delivered tegu promise on time and on budget. Pics below Sent from my iPhone using Lexus OC

Yep youre right I normally do and the one time I don't this happens. Every cloud has a silver lining though it has prompted me to do some of the things I had on my to do list now and I am sure Lexi will be much better than when she went into car hospital. Chris

Thanks yes I think bonnet had been previously sprayed and hopefully it will be as new. The owner will not play ball I am sure he will lose business as clearly they cannot train their staff and they use the wrong equipment. Sent from my iPhone using Lexus OC

No not really Colin . Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

Thanks Gents I am having another go at them and have pointed out that the lances they are using are for cleaning patios. Cj Sent from my iPhone using Lexus OC

I always try to wash my car myself but due to having very little time I went to a hand car wash on Monday. To my horror after driving off when I parked and walked round the front of the car I noticed that they had jetwashed the paint down to black primer on a six inch square area of the bonnet together with some smaller marks under the grill.This is the last time I do this and realise the pitfalls most of these places use the wrong sort of high pressure attachments more suited to power cleaning the drive and tend to use acid based wheel cleaners which do not do brake calipers any good. So alas poor Lexi is in the car hospital on Thursday and I am taking the opportunity to refurb the wheels with new shadow chrome and tidy up some of the other items including a polish to the lens covers on the HID lights . There seems to be no recourse against the car wash who displayed a big disclaimer sign. Am kicking myself but at least it has prompted me to take the plunge and fettle all of the cosmetics. Sent from my iPad using Lexus OC

Seems dry inside boot area thanks Chris

Very similar to me yesterday went from home to Sheffield on Motorway driving through torrential rain .Went to an event then on the way down slowed down from 70 to 50 into roadworks reasonably sharply .Shortly after that check vsc system came on. Continued remainder of journey noticing braking seemend different and more like normal brakes I e no regenerative system and whine. In drive I noticed an unusual sound as if one of the electrical systems trying to do something. Turned car off and on and then went round 5 mile block and lights went off and braking seemed to be normal again.Did notce when car in drive that brakes seemed warm but had just done 60 mile run. Car has had 60000 mile service in last 3 weeks at Lexus dealer.Went to local shops this morning 4 mile round trip and car seemed fine. Any advice or similar experiences appreciated. Best regards Chris

I realise it is quite some time since I started this post but feel I must now conclude. My car has just been serviced by Lexus of Hull and can honestly say the service was first rate. Must say that my intermediate service turned out to be far more expensive than envisaged but car ownership is always a roller coaster ride. Due to circumstances i had run over the mileage by 2k and wanted to het the car in Asap. The after sales manager James could not have been more accomodating and the car went in this morning. The coffee and courtesy car were excellent and previously reported by others. At about 1130 i received a call advising that the service had been completed however the brakes were in need of some serious attention. The rest of the car other than wiper blades was fine having had a thorough check. James fully explained the position and suggested that I had discs and pads replaced all round and the calipers freed off. Having read brake related tales on here I resigned myself to the fact that it was going to hit my pocket . Well the intermediate service and new nrakes cost me £825 ouch !!!!!. The shock aside when I went to collect the car James offered to show me the old discs and pads wow what a mess. I believe the discs were originals and had lasted the 52,0000. The car now stops wonderfully and drives like dream. Heres the twist when I collected the car its was washed and hoovered to a high standard. I look after my cars and try to take a pride in their appearence. Unknown to me until I saw the small print on my invoice Lexus Hull is part of the John Roe Motor Group. Whilst this is my first Lexus I go back a long way with John Roe Toyota . As an 18 year old my first job was as a car cleaner for John Roe Motors when they first attained the Toyota dealership in Grimsby working on Saturday mornings and during the holidays whilst I was at sixth form. During my time there I loved my job and held a very high regard for the brand . I particulary liked driving the new cars and dewaxing them from the protective coat and turning them into pristine showroom icons. I remember the first time I drove a land cruiser it seemed huge. Thirty Six years on I now own a Lexus and unknowingly return to John Roe Motor Group as a satisfied customer.

Have owned my 400H for six months now and am delighted with the car.She is now due for a 50,000 mile service and I am trying to decide where to take it Have previously used local specialists for my cars but this is my first Hybrid 4x4. My dealers are in Hull and Lincoln both around 25 miles from where I live /work . I am tempted by serviceing stop of dragons den fame but have no first hand experience. Their online quote including collection delivery and a clean and vac using oem parts is £179. Does anyone have any experience or know of a lexus specialist non dealer in the Grimsby /Caistor/ Immingham area. I have just extended the six month Auto 2000 warranty for a further 2 years so it needs to be a garage that complies to the new manufacturers guideline rules I know that serviceing stop do. Thoughts and advice appreciated PS anything to point out/reccomend at 50000 miles. Oh I had a new aux battery fitted (Exide no probs so far) when I bought the car. Thanks in advance Chris

Just like to reiterate that this sort of problem is not a standard feature.My wife and my Mum have just returned from a 11 night cruise leaving my 400h at Southampton . To my horror when I asked the valet parking if I could park my own car as I needed to fit a solar trickle charger I was told that this would not be possible and not to worry they would help if there was a problem on return. Came back to an extremely windy and rainy Southampton this morning and Lexis doors unlocked turned the key saw the ready light and after a minute she burbled into silky smooth life. We drove the 110 miles to relatives for Christmas in silent comfort in what can only be described as atrocious weather conditions . The more I own this car the more I like it. Ps it has an Exide non Lexus replacement battery. Best regards Chris

Just been on first holiday since I purchased my 2005 Rx400 h se nav. After leaving her at Stansted for 13 days with AA solar trickle charger plugged into ODB2 socket she started first time no issues. Relieved though as it had been playing on my mind

Me too the Germans dont seem to want the uk disc but it is genuine Lexus Chris

Colin had a look for the fuses under the glove box but could see where you get into the fuse compartment is there a trick to this. Also think have found another source of a rattle as the plastic trim under the glove box where I presume the fuses are is loose.Do not want to force it as asume there is a correct way to get in. Best regards Chris

Tried the Htc charger and phone and it doesn't work on either socket either,tried in both accessory and ready mode. So guess its a fuse or somethingmmore serious. Chris

Sounds Rad Chris

If the Vaistech has a lightening connector option and is compatible with my Iphone 5 then think thats the way I wil go. Where is the best place to get one.Guess am looking around £250 plus fitting? Chris